Approaches to Mental Health Theory CPD / Course details

• The role and functions of the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
• Mental Health Legislation and associated Code of Practice
• National and Local Guidance on Practice
• Values underpinning effective Approved Mental Health Practice
• The contribution of research to AMHP Policy and practice development

1. To produce students who have the knowledge and skill to undertake the statutory duties of an "Approved Mental Health Professional" as detailed in the Mental Health Act 1983 and as amended by the 2007 Act.
    
2. To produce students with the capacity to develop and apply the knowledge, skills and values that are necessary for carrying out safe and effective assessment, understanding the implementation of the duties of the Approved Mental Health Professional, including the appropriate use of independence, authority and autonomy of the AMHP Role.

Knowledge and Understanding

• An integrated and systematic knowledge and understanding of the legal definitions of mental disorder and their ethical implications.
• A conceptual and integrated knowledge and understanding of their own role as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) under the Mental Health Legislation.
• A critical understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other professionals engaged in a collaborative delivery of statutory interventions.

Intellectual Skills

• Collect, assess, formulate and interpret evidence from a variety of sources contributing to the effective functioning of the AMHP.
• Use relevant theoretical models to understand and use evidence appropriately and effectively, and to develop ideas and plans for action.
• Critically evaluate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be an effective Mental Health Professional.

Practical Skills

• Use the AMHP Role to communicate and form effective working relationships with Service Users and Carers.
• Demonstrate the capacity to exercise the appropriate use of authority and autonomy in carrying out statutory responsibilities.
• Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skill through case assessment, coordination of multi-disciplinary contributions and meticulous attention to due legal process in carrying out statutory responsibilities.
• Demonstrate the capacity to develop in the role of the AMHP through effective use of supervision, consultation and reflective practice.

Transferable Skills

• Facilitating and coordinating communication under pressure to enable problem-solving and decision-making.
• Utilising technology to access information from a variety of resource bases.
• Using research skills to access and analyse literature to support and promote practice development.
• Use reflective skills to review and analyse practice and to identify learning needs and resources for development.

Direct Teaching

Lectures on key topics.

Group Seminars

These provide opportunities for students to explor case material illustrating the application of mental health legislation to real-life circumstances led by lecturers with ASW/AMHP experience assisted by practicing AMHPs.

Practice Placement

Provides supervised, experience of assessing Mental Health Crisis situations and applying the legislation appropriately.

• An integrated and systematic knowledge and understanding of the legal definitions of mental disorder and their ethical implications.
• A conceptual and integrated knowledge and understanding of their own role as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) under the Mental Health Legislation.
• A critical understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other professionals engaged in a collaborative delivery of statutory interventions.

Detailed feedback given on written assignment and 1:2:1 tutorials are offered.